నాకు తెలుసు
nāku telusu
The English phrase "I know" is translated into Telugu as నాకు తెలుసు (nāku telusu).
Use నాకు తెలుసు to assert that you possess an answer, a piece of information or an idea.
Meaning: assertion that speaker has answer or idea (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of nāku, meaning "to me" and telusu, meaning "is known". Literally, it translates to "to me it is known".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb telusu is an intransitive verb that requires a dative subject. Because of this, you must use the dative form nāku (to me) instead of the nominative form nēnu (I).
How do you pronounce it?
nāku telusu
Did you know?
- The components of the phrase for 'to me' can be traced back to a Proto-Dravidian root meaning 'to lick'.
- The word తెలుసు is used not only for facts but also to describe the color white in its root form తెల్ల, linking the idea of 'knowing' or 'clarity' with the color of light.
- While నాకు తెలుసు asserts knowledge, Telugu often uses a completely different verb గుర్తు ఉంది meaning 'it is remembered' when the 'knowing' refers to recalling a specific past event or person.
Examples in context
- నాకు అర్థం అయింది (Nāku artham ayindi)I understand.
- అతని పేరు నాకు తెలుసు.atani pēru nāku telusu.I know his name.
- అక్కడ ఏం జరుగుతుందో నాకు తెలుసు.akkada ēṁ jarugutundō nāku telusu.I know what is happening there.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing a news story.
- పల్లవి Pallaviసాయి, ఆ వార్త నీకు తెలుసా?Sai, ā vārta nīku telusā?Sai, do you know that news?
- సాయి Saiఅవును పల్లవి, నాకు తెలుసు.Avunu Pallavi, nāku telusu.Yes Pallavi, I know.
- పల్లవి Pallaviఅవునా, మరి ఇంకేం తెలిసింది?Avunā, mari inkēṁ telisindi?Is it? Then what else did you find out?
- సాయి Saiఇంకా ఏమీ తెలియదు.Iṅkā ēmī teliyadu.I don't know anything else yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I know” translations and entries నాకు తెలుసు, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries నాకు, CC BY-SA 4.0.
